Shawon Respress is the founder and CEO of Opening Gates in Southfield, which provides services to boys and young men who have suffered abuse.

So how do you help someone like Charlie?

“The thoughts and the emotions, the behaviors and things like that would definitely have to be treated with therapy — group therapy and individual therapy,” said Respress, “and there has to be a connect,”

“We first have to break down the barriers of trust when a child has gone through such traumatic experiences,” he said.

Opening Gates is holding a fundraiser in St. Clair Shores on Saturday, July 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. in St. Clair Shores.

“We’re raising funds for expansion programs for parenting — fatherhood initiatives that will teach the fathers how to better be involved with the treatment planning process — mentoring programs and case management; and also some additional specialized residential programs in Detroit and Southfield also,” Respress said.